UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team rider, Martyn Irvine, suffered a serious injury as a result of a crash about 50km into Stage 4 of the Tour de Taiwan. Initial media reports stated Irvine suffered a fractured hip, but the Team is currently awaiting official confirmation as to whether the injury is actually a fractured femoral head.

Martyn Irvine (pictured on right) with Philip Deignan during Team UnitedHealthcare’s January training camp in Arizona.Photo courtesy Jonathan Devich, epicimages.us

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team General Manager and Team Director, Mike Tamayo, spoke with the recently crowned 2013 Scratch Race World Champion shortly after Irvine exited surgery.

“Martyn went into surgery at about 6:30pm local time on Thursday, March 21, in Taiwan. We understand his surgery lasted about an hour and that everything went well. The doctors are helping him deal with the pain right now. Initial reports indicated Martyn suffered a fractured hip but our Team doctor, Dr. Michael Roshon (who is based in the United States) is currently awaiting the results of the X-rays and reports from the doctors in Taiwan so we can define exactly what Martyn’s injury is.

We believe it was a break to the femoral head, but again, we haven’t seen the X-rays and will update everyone as soon as we have more detail.

I spoke with Martyn on the phone and he is in good spirits. A rider like Martyn is unquestionably one of the strongest and toughest guys we know. He will be back stronger than ever. Obviously, our primary concern right now is getting him home to Ireland, making him as comfortable as possible and working with him through the recovery process.”

On behalf of Martyn, the Team and the entire UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling family would like to thank everyone for all of the well wishes extended to Martyn. We will release more information as soon as it becomes available.